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Seagate’s Hybrid Drive Resurfaces Amid Rising Storage Costs
Storage prices have surged dramatically in recent years, driven by demand from artificial intelligence applications. According to Tom’s Hardware, some solid-state drives now cost two to three times their historical lows, while mechanical drives have also seen price increases. A Seagate Exos 24TB drive, for instance, rose from $298.99 in summer 2025 to $699.99 by August 2026. Against this backdrop, Seagate has reintroduced hybrid storage with its new FireCuda Forge line, which pairs traditional HDDs with user-supplied SSDs.
The FireCuda Forge drives are available immediately through Seagate’s web store, offering 8TB and 20TB HDD configurations priced at $699 and $899, respectively. However, the setup requires users to provide their own SSD, with specific compatibility requirements. The SSD must be an M.2 2280 NVMe drive using PCIe Gen3 or higher, with a maximum capacity of 1TB. It must also meet minimum read and write speeds of 2,400MB/s and 2,000MB/s, respectively. Seagate recommends models with DRAM cache for optimal performance. The combined system, according to the company, can achieve up to 2,500MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write speeds, with support for USB4, Windows 11, and macOS 26+.
Powered by Seagate’s new Alkemi intelligent storage platform, the FireCuda Forge represents the company’s first hybrid drive to leverage this technology. The Alkemi system is designed to manage data distribution between the HDD and SSD, aiming to balance capacity and speed. However, users must bear the additional cost of an SSD, which is not included in the drive’s price. This raises questions about the long-term value of the hybrid approach, particularly given the already elevated prices for storage components.
The hard truth
The FireCuda Forge’s appeal hinges on a user’s ability to source a compatible SSD separately. This adds to the overall cost and complexity of the setup, potentially limiting its appeal to budget-conscious buyers. The 1TB SSD cap also restricts the amount of data that can be prioritized for speed, which may be a drawback for users requiring high-performance storage across large datasets.
Pricing: India, Canada, US
The source material does not specify prices for India, Canada, or other markets beyond the US. The 8TB and 20TB configurations are priced at $699 and $899, respectively, in the US.
FAQ
What are the SSD requirements for the FireCuda Forge?
The FireCuda Forge requires an M.2 2280 NVMe drive with PCIe Gen3 or higher, a maximum capacity of 1TB, and minimum read/write speeds of 2,400MB/s and 2,000MB/s, respectively. A DRAM cache is recommended for best performance.
What performance does Seagate claim for the hybrid system?
Seagate states the combined system can achieve up to 2,500MB/s read and 2,000MB/s write speeds. The setup supports USB4 and is compatible with Windows 11 and macOS 26+.
Why is the SSD not included with the FireCuda Forge?
The FireCuda Forge is sold without an SSD, requiring users to purchase one separately. This approach allows for flexibility but adds to the overall cost and complexity of the setup.
Source attribution
Ars Technica – All content: https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2026/11/seagate-resurrects-the-ssd-hdd-hybrid-drive/
Source: Ars Technica – All content